Shrunk sleeve package



June 21, 1955 G. c. IRWIN ET AL 2,711,346

SHRUNK SLEEVE PACKAGE Filed April 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l AZ 64 Mnw r0GEOEGE C. //?w J l i QUGQST MW/ALERZJR.

07-7-0 mk/Efs June 21, 1955 c, |Rw|N ET AL 2,711,346

I SHRUNK sLEEvE PACKAGE Filed April 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E WWWQTToR/VEKS 2,711,:i4s SHRUN-K sLEEvE PACKAGE Ge r .1mm Un v r i y. andAntiw w 'rt Jr., Webster Groves, Mot; E Iise'V. Irwin, administratrix orsaid George C;Irwin,'de'ceased f ApplicationApril 17, 1950, SerialN0.Y156,412

The present invention relates generally to the packaging art and moreparticularly to a novel tubular container and a method of form. v

In one form, the invention vcomprises'a single cake, or a series ofcakes, wrapped individually or together in sheets of cellophane orlikeflexible material, and having a length of wet flexible regeneratedcellulose tubing disposed around the wrapped cakes, the cellulose tubingforming a tightly fitting rigid container for the cakes when it driesand shrinks, and Ialso'forming an-a'ir-tight seal therefor.

blocks, moth repellent cakes, and the like, are very unsatisfactory formany reasons. They are usually made entirely of metal or else they havefiber bodies with metalends or backs. These are heavy, cumbersome,andiexpensive. Furthermore, they are not completely air-tight so thatwith many of these; containers a portion of the contents sublimatesbefore the product reaches the ultimate purchaser. p v

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to

provide a novel container and method of packaging which is particularlyapplicable for use with cakes. and blocks of a material which sublimatesat normal room temperature. An example ofthis is paradichlorobenzenewhich is used both as a moth repellent and as a deodorant in lavatories.1

Another object is to provide acontainer which is applied to the goods inthe form of a flexible tubular member and which stifi'ens upon drying toform a -rigid co r itaiuer and provide an air-tight seal. f

Another object is to provide a novel container for moth repellentmaterial which can be suspended in acloset or the like.

Another object is to providea novelpackageof moth repellent material,the c9ntents of which sublimate in a predetermined manner. I

Another object is to providea novel package of t noth repellent materialin block form which has an increased exposed surface area over anordinary block of comparable size. p, I f f i A l flls it t s t Pr d n ePa ka ed s odorant blocks in which there are external lines of de-,

a ation v stvt ndividua b ocks otha lth contai ca be S v re etwee thebal q mother object is 'to provide a novel'package. for dethe packagewithout disturbing the air-tight'seal' of the remainder of the package.

Other objects are to provide a containerwhich is light simple inconstruction, and relatively inexpenpackaging material in cake or block2,711,346 Patented June 21, .1955

ice

:Fig'. 1 is a front .elevational view of a package of math repellentmaterial adapted to be suspended ina closet or the like, embodying theteachings of the-present invention;

Fig.' 2 is -a side elevational viewof the package taken Fig. 6 is a viewsimilar toFig; 5 showing a modified form of wrapping? Fig. 7 is a frontelevational view of a modified form ,offpackage used with-a plurality ofvertically stacked cakes; h

Fig. 8 is a top plan view 1 Fig; f Fig. 1.0-i's a sideelevational viewof the package shown in Fig. 7, a portion of the container being-shownin sec- V ':Fig.' ll is a rear elevationalview of the package shown? 1v. in Fig. 7 a :portio'n of the container being cut away to Thecontainers in use at the present time for deodorant show the-innerconstruction ofthe package;

on thelinelZ-JZ in Fig. 7;

"Figi 12is a horizontal -transver'se sectional view ta-k'ei't' Fig. 13is an enlarged" vertical transverse sectional view taken'on theline 1+13in Fig.7; V I

Fig.' 14 is a'plan view of one of the eakes used inthe package shown'inFig .--7 4 Fig. 15 is a fro'rit'elevationalview of'another modifiedfo'r'm of the package whichis particularly applicable'fo rthep'a'ckagin'g ofjde'odorant blocks; Fig. 16 is anend view of thepackage shown in Fig. 15 taken from the right side,a'porti on of thecontainer being y and shown'incross section to better 'illustrate cut awthe inner construction;

' Fig."l7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view'taken onthe line 17 "1 7 in Fig. 15 ;and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a method "of cutting a singledeodorant block from the package. K

Although the container and'method of packaging dis closed herein isparticularly applicable f or use with moth repellent cak'es'anddeodo'r'aritblocks, it is to be understood that itis not so limited Landthat it can also be used with bars of soap, candy, etc.- infactpractically any material which sold in cake, block or bar form;

Referring tothe drawings" more particularly 'by reference numerals,specifically Figs. lthrough 6,110 indi-{ cates generally a package ofmot-h repellent material 'constructed in accordance with theteeachingsof th p e invention f" I a 7 V v includes; 'i t ricsl' cake of mate:

rial 22; such asparadichlorobenzene, which has a side surface'23,afrontsurf5ce 24" and a rear surface 26.

[The front surface- 24 contains a groove 23 around the periphery-thereofwhich forms an edgeffifl with the side zs'o't'th'e'c'ake. V a I Acylindrical recess 32 is formed in the rear surface 26'for apurpose toappear;

The cak -22 is wrapped'in-two sheetsi34 and 36' 5) ofathin flexiblematerial such as cellophane orithelike, sheetsf' 34 and6 are'driginallycircu-Q lar' in forri1.- One is-positioned"against the' frdnt'sui'face'24 and the other against the rearsurface 2 6. The sheets 34 and 36 arethen pressed around the cake 2:2 and their edges brought together towardthe front surface 24" as shown in Fig.5, so as to form a flange-likeportion 38. This joining together of the edges provides the first of thepackage shown in Fig. '7; is a bottom plan view of the package shown inoftwo seals. The flange-likeportion 38 is then pressed rearwardlyagainst the side of the cake 22. If desirable, sheets 34 and 36 couldeach consist of two layers of material. Thus, if one layercontained asmall pinhole, itwould be very unlikely that the other one would alsocontain a pinhole in exactly the same place. This would assure anabsolutely air-tight package. v t

:Fig. 6 showsan alternate wrappingconstruction in which a single sheetof material 40 is wrapped around the front of the cake 22 and the edgesgathered together and twisted adjacent the rear face 26 as at 41. Thefree edges could also be merely overlapped.

A disc 42-of cardboard or the like is positioned adjacent the rearsurface 26. The disc 42 contains a reinforced eyelet 44 adjacent theupper edge thereof and a loop of string 46 extends through the eyelet44.

If thetype of wrapping shown in Fig. 6 is employed, the twisted portion41 is forced into the recess 32 by the disc 42. If overlapping is used,the disc 42 holds it in position.

Disposed around the edge of the disc 42 and the side surface of thewrapped cake 22 is an annular member 48 which forms a container orhousing for the cake 2.2. The member 48 is a length ofregenerated.cellulose tubing such as Du Pont Celoseal, which has been maintained inan aqueous solution to keep it soft and flexible.

The tubing is slipped rearwardly over the edges of the cake 22 and disc42 while it is wet and flexible and as it dries it stitfens and shrinksso that it presses the flangelike portion 38 of the wrapping tightlyagainst the side surface 23 of the cake so as to form a second seal.Thus the cake 22 is doubly sealed within anvair-tight wrapping so thatthere is no chance of the vapor escaping during transporation andstorage.

The tubing is slightly longer than the thickness of the cake 22 so thatthe front edge of the tubing shrinks over the edge 30 of the cake 22 andthe rear edge shrinks over the edge of the disc 42 (Fig. 4), wherebywhen the member 48 is completely dry, it forms a rigid container for thecake 22. This container is rigid enough to support the cake 22 throughall phases of its sublimation, and its weight is practically negligible.

When the tubing shrinks over the edge of the disc 42 it binds the loopedstring 46 tightly against the disc 42 and prevents it from pulling free.of a separate tab (not shown) can be inserted between the disc 42 andthe flange portion of the annular member 48 in place of string, and thetab used for suspending the package from a support.

Furthermore, the sheets 34 and 36 and the annular f member 48 can all beof difierent colors to enhance the appearance of the package 20. V

To use the contents of the package 20, the sheet 3 6 (or the sheet 40,depending on which type of wrapping is used) is cut out along the groove28 adjacent the front edge of the member 48 so as to expose the frontsurface 24 to the atmosphere.

As the cake 22 sublimates a depression is formed in the front surface 24which enlarges and eventually meets the recess 32 so that the portion ofthe cake 22 at that phase of the sublimation is in the form of anannulus adjacent the annular member 48. The fact that the portion of thecake 22 which is adjacent the member 48 remains in solid form until alarge portion; of it has sublimated aids in maintaining the member-48inannular. shape. V

Because the paradichlorobenzene vapor is heavier than air, the upperportion of; the cake 22 will sublirnate before the lower portion does,so that after the cakehas been. reduced-to an annulus, furthersublimation results in the formation of a crescent shaped portion at thebottom of the member 48.

A modified form of package .50, which is; shown in Figs. 7 to 14,includes a series ofsemhcircular shaped cakes S2 (Fig.v 14) which arestacked ,one'on top of If desirable, the edge the other in the mannerillustrated in Fig. 13 so as to provide a flat surface 53 on one side ofthe stack. Each that the recesses 58 are facing toward the center of thepackage; the ridges 56 of the end cakes bearing against the flat surface54 of theinner cakes, and the ridges'56 of the inner two cakes being inabutted position. This provides a recess between each cake and providesa flat surfaceat eachend of the stack; Manifestly; the double recesscould also be either between the top cake and the one adjacent thereto,or between the bottom cake and the one adjacent thereto.

A sheet 62 of cellophane or the like is wrapped around the stack ofcakes 52 and the ends gathered together and sealed so as to form anair-tight wrapping.

A U-shaped supporting member 64 of cardboard 'or like material ispositioned adjacent the wrapped stack of cakes 52. The supporting member64 has a body portion 66 which is adjacent the flat surface 53 formed bythe cakes 52, a top end portion 68 which is disposed at an angle to thebody portion 66 adjacent the upper end of the stack, and a similarbottom end portion 70 which is adjacent the lower end of the stack.

Each of the end portions 68 and 70 contains circular cutouts 72 whichare in alignment with the openings in the cakes, for a purpose toappear.

Formed integral with the top end portion 68 is an upwardly extending tab74 which contains an opening 76 therein for suspending the package 50from a support.

Disposed around the wrapped cakes 52 and the supporting member 64 is atubular member 78 of regenerated cellulose. As described above, thismember 78 is slipped over the cakes 52 and the body portion 66 of thesupporting member 64 while it is wet and flexible, and after it dries itforms a rigid container for the cakes and also provides a second sealfor the wrapping. The member 78 is slightly longer than the stacks ofcakes 52 so that the ends of the member 78 shrink around the edges ofthe top and bottom end portions 68 and respectively of thesupportingmember 64 (Fig. 13), so as tomaintain them securely against the ends ofthe stack. T If desirable, a sheet of cardboard or the-like, can bewrapped around-the front of the stackfrom one edge of the body portion66, to its other edge. This provides a smooth surface for the tubularmember 78 to bear against; thereby providing a package having abetterappearance.

To use the contents of the package 50, the cutouts 72 e are removed fromthe end portions of the supporting member'64, and'the cellophanewrapping over the openings 60 broken so as to expose the interior of thecakes 52' tojthe' atmosphere.

'As'shown in Fig. 13, the recesses 58 provide additional exposedsurface.Because these surfaces extend transversely from the opening 60.andprevent a direct flowof vap'or through the stack of cakes 52 the'rate ofsublirnation is more uniform.

' Another modified form of package 80 embodying the teachings of thepresent invention isshown in Figs. 15m 18. This type ofpackageis'particularlyadvantageous for thepacka'ging of cylindrical shapeddeodorantblocks Eachblock 82 hasan end surface 84 which flat and an endsurface 86 which contains a bevelled edge 88 (or a groove similar to thegroove 28 of the cake 22). I

As shown in Fig. 17, each block 82 is wrapped in two sheets of flexibleair impervious material suchas cellophane, the edges of the two sheetsoverlapping so as to form. ascai. Manifestly, the blocks 82 can also bewrapped in the manner illustrated in either Figs.. 5 or 6,,

Discs 90 of cardboard or like material are disposed adjacent the ends ofthe stack-of blocks 82. Disposed around the stack of blocks 82 and theend discs 90is anelongated tubular member 92 of regenerated cellulose. IAs described above, the member 92 is slippedover the blocks 82 while wetand when it 'driesit forms a rigid container for the blocks 82 and alsoprovidesa second seal for the wrapping. Even if the wrappings of theindividual blocks 82 are not airtight, thermember 92 will prevent theescape of the vapor. v

The member '92 is slightly longer thanthe stacksof blocks 82 so thatwhen the ends shrink they; form flangelike portions around theperipheries of the discs 90 v so as to maintain them securely in placeagainst the ends-of the stack.

When the member 92 shrinks around the blocks. 82 it" aligns them andalso forms a series of spaced annular indentations 94between adjacentblocks (Fig. 15'). These indentations are used as guides whenvsevering ablock 82 from the remainder of the package as illustrated in Fig. 18.Thus, one block at a time can be removedfrom the package 80 withoutdisturbing theairtight seal of the remainder of the blocks.

Also, because the container 80 is reduced in size. each time a block 82is removed, the number of blocks remain; ing in the package canbe easilydetermined ata glance and additional packages ordered before the lastfew blocks are placed in use.

The discs 90 prevent the end portions from being broken in shipment andalsoprovide a surface for aflixing trade-marks, description of blocks,etc. Information and trade-marks can also be applieddirectlyto thesurface of the tubing 92 and thereby obviate the necessity of separatestickers or tags being aflixed to its surface.

Thus the regenerated cellulose member 92 forms a container which is onlya fraction of the weight and size of the containers in use at thepresent "time, which provides a second seal for the wrapping, and fromwhich a single block can be removed without disturbing the airtight sealof the remainder of the package.

From the above it is apparent that there has been provided several formsof the present invention which fulfill all of the objects and advantagessought therefor;

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings have been given only by way ofillustration andexample, and that changes and alterations in thepresent;disclosure,;which will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe; art,,are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention,which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A package, comprising at least one cake of material; flexiblematerial in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the ends of saidcake; and a tubular member disposed around said cake and a portion onlyof said flexible material at the ends of said cake in close engagementtherewith so as to form a container for said cake, said tubular memberbeing of a diameter greater than the diameter of said cake and made of amaterial which is initially wet and flexible and which stitfens andshrinks when it dries for sealing said sheet materialaround the cake.

2. A package, comprising a cake of material which sublimates at ordinaryroom temperature; flexible material in sheet form completely wrappedaround said cake so as to form an enclosure therefor; a disc-like memberdisposed adjacent one end of the cake; a tubular member disposed aboutsaid cake in close and binding engagement therewith so as to form acontainer therefor,

the, end of the tubular member adjacent the disc-like member beingflanged over the latter so as to hold it against the cake, said tubularmember being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said.cakeand madeof a material whichis initially wet and flexible and whichstiffens, shrinks and tightens against the cake when it dries forsealing said sheet material around the cake; and rneans for suspendingthe package from a support including a suspension device having one endwhich is held in fixed relationship between thecake and the tubularmember. I i

13. Apackage; comprising a cake of material; sheets of flexible materialdisposed completelyaround the ends of thecake, the edges of the sheetsbeing joined together so as to provide an enclosure for thecake and forma flange-like portion around the cake, the flange-like por- 'tion beingdisposed against the side of the cake; and a tubular member disposedaround the cake and over the flange-like portionin close .and bindingengagement therewith so as. to form a container for the cake and seal,the edges of the sheets offlexible material, against the cake,'saidtubular member being of an initial diameter greaterthan the*diameter ofsaid cake and made of -a mater-iallwhichis.initially wet'andflexibleandwhich stitfens, shrinks and tightens against the cake when it dries forsealing said sheet material around the cake.

; 4 ..A package, comprisinga plurality of cakes disposed one on top ofthe other, to form a column; flexible material in sheet form wrappedaround the column so as to form an enclosure thereof; a supportingmember having afbody portion disposed adjacent one side of the column,

the; ends of the supporting member extending at anangle to the bodyportion adjacent the ends of the column;

and a" tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion ofthe supporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of thetubular member being flanged over at least a portion ofthe ends of thesupport- 1 a ing member toholdthem against the endsof the column,saidtubularmember being of an initial diameter greater than the diameterof said cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexibleand which stitfens, shrinks and tightens against the'cakes when it driesfor sealing said.sheetmaterialaround the cakes.

.5; A; package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top ofthe other to form a column; flexible materialin sheet form wrappedaround the. column so as to form an enclosure therefor; a supportingmember having abody portion disposed adjacent one side of the.

column, the ends of the supporting member extending at anangleto thebody portion adjacent the ends of the columnaand a tubular memberdisposed around the column and the body portion of the supporting memberin close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubular mem- '1 ber beingflanged over at least a portion of the ends of the supporting membertohold them against the ends of the column, said tubular member being ofan initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes and made ofa material which is initially wet and flexible and which stitfens,shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it dries for sealing saidsheet material around the cakes.

6. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top oftheother to form a column; a passageway extending longitudinally throughsaid column; a supporting member having a body portion disposed adjacentone side of thecolumn, the ends of the supporting member extending at anangle to the body portion adjacent the ends of the column and containingweakened portions in alignment with the ends of said passageway;flexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides and theexposed ends of said cakes in the column; and

a tubular member disposed around the column and the body portion of thesupporting member in close proximity thereto, the ends of the tubularmember being flanged over at least a portion of the ends of thesupporting member to hold them against the ends of the column, saidtubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter ofsaid cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexibleand which stiffens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it driesfor sealing said sheet material around the cakes.

7. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of theother to form a column, at least some of the cakes having a ridge-likeportion extending around at least one end thereof adjacent the peripheryso as to provide chambers between adjacent cakes; a passageway extendinglongitudinally through said column interconnecting the chambers; asupporting member having a body portion disposed adjacent one side ofthe column, the ends of the supporting member extending at an angle tothe body portion adjacent the ends of the column and containing weakenedportions in alignment with the ends of said passageway; flexiblematerialin sheet form totally enclosing the sides and the exposed ends of saidcakes in the column; and a tubular member disposed around the column andthe body portion of the supporting member in close proximity thereto,the ends of the tubular member being flanged over at least a portion ofthe ends of the supporting member to hold them against the ends of thecolumn, said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater thanthe diameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially wetand flexible and which stifiens, shrinks and tightens against the cakeswhen it dries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes,

8. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of theother to form a column, each of said cakes having flexible material insheet form wrapped around it so as to form an enclosure therefor;annular grooves around the column between adjacent cakes; and a tubularmember disposed around said cakes in close engagement therewith so as toform a container therefor having indentations between adjacent cakes,said tubular member being of an initial diameter greater than thediameter of said cakes and made of a material which is initially Wet andflexible and which stiflens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes whenit driesfor sealing said sheet material around the cakes.

9. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top of theother to form a column, each of said cakes having a beveled end portionso as to provide annular peripheral grooves between adjacentcakesgflexible material in sheet form totally enclosing the sides andthe exposed ends of said cakes in the column; and' a tubular memberdisposed around said cakes in close engagement therewith so as to form acontainer therefor having indentations between adjacent cakes, saidtubular member being of an initial diameter greater than the diameter ofsaid cakes and made of a material which is initially wet and flexibleand which stifi'ens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when itdries for sealing said sheet material around the cakes. i

10. A package, comprising a plurality of cakes disposed one on top ofthe other to form a column; flat disc-like members disposed adjacent theends of the column; flexible material in sheet form totally enclosingthe sides and the exposed ends of said cakes in 'the column; and anelongated tubular member disposed about the cakes in close engagementtherewith so as to provide a container therefor, the ends of the tubularmember being flanged around the edges of the disc-like members soas tohold them securely against the ends of the column, said tubular memberbeing of an initial diameter greater than the diameter of said cakes andmade of a material which is initially wet and flexible and whichstiflfens, shrinks and tightens against the cakes when it-dries forsealing said sheetmaterial around the cakes.

1l.-A package comprising a cake of material; at least two sheets ofmaterial disposedover the ends of said cake to completely cover thesame, said sheets being secured together at the side of said cake toform a flange-like portion therearound a disc-like member disposed 'overone end of said cake exteriorly'of the sheet material; a tubular memberdisposed about said cak e in close engagementtherewith and havingflanged-over end portions bearing against the outer periphery of theends of said cake in sealing relationship with the sheet material andsaid disc-like member, said tubular member being of an initial diametergreater than the diameter of said cake and made of a material which isinitially wet' and flexible-and which stiffens, shrinks and tightensagainst the cake when it'dries for sealing said sheet material aroundthe cake; and means for suspending the package from a support includinga suspension device having one end which is held in fixed relationshipbetween thecake and the tubular member.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,334,34

- Boehm Mar. 23,

1,434,566 Sharp Nov. 7, 1922 1,578,066 Bolingbroke Mar. 23, 19261,757,530 Keim May 6, 1930 1,937,468 Talbot Nov. 28, 1933 2,029,131Shoemaker Ian. 28, 1936 2,102,128 Replogle et al. Dec. 14,1937 2,298,779Vogt Oct. 13, 1942 2,351,267 Irwin June 13, 1944 2,423,224 r Card July1, 1947 2,474,166; 7 Ramsey, -Jr. June 21, 1949 2,477,274 Trecek July26, 1949 2,547,687 Brody Apr. 3, 1951 2,547,688 Brody -5. Apr. 3, 1951 2,621,965 Bagley Dec. 16, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS .Great Britain Apr. 23,1888

